New evidence emerges in the 2017 homicides of Abby Williams and Libby German, along with ISP's theory: Suspect has deep ties to Delphi.

DELPHI, Ind. – Doug Carter, Indiana State Police superintendent, didn’t answer questions Monday morning after delivering the first bits of evidence released to the public since the initial months after Abby Williams and Libby German, two Delphi eighth-graders, were killed on one of the town’s popular trails.

So, why he explicitly invited the public to fill out the seats at the Delphi Canal Center, behind dozens of TV cameras following the homicide case since February 2017, was left for between-the-lines chatter that followed the lunch-hour announcement Monday.

But it wasn’t hard to read where Carter was going, when he made it clear that investigators, 26 months into the case, were turning eyes close to home.

"We also believe this person is from Delphi — currently or has previously lived here, visits Delphi on a regular basis or works here," Carter said.

The new composite drawing released by officials on Monday, April 22 of the person suspected in the Delphi Murders.(Photo: Composite by Indiana State police)

That was moments before troopers unveiled a sketch of what appears to be a younger, clean-shaven version of the suspect, compared to the composited of a goatee-faced, hat-wearing man still seen fading in the windows of businesses on the Carroll County Courthouse square since it was unveiled in 2017.

"Directly to the killer, who may be in this room: We believe you are hiding in plain sight," Carter said. "For more than two years, you never thought we would shift gears to a different investigative strategy, but we have."

That phrase from an emotional Carter — "Who may be in this room …" — was haunting.

Carter kept speaking directly to the killer, whether he was there in a standing-room-only crowd that lined up to get in to witness the announcement or not: "We likely have interviewed you or someone close to you. We know that this is about power to you, and you want to know what we know. And one day you will. A question to you: What will those closest to you think of when they find out that you brutally murdered two little girls?"

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The audio and video were both recorded on Libby German's phone.
Courtesy of Indiana State Police, Lafayette Journal & Courier

What Carter said rattled the room on the north side of the town of 2,877, about 17 miles northeast of Lafayette.

“I’m not sure it should have, but it surprised me when (Carter) said that – that (the suspect) was from Delphi,” said Janice Houser of Delphi. “But when he said that …”

Houser trailed off at the back of the room, surrounded by news crews from television stations from across Indiana doing live shots at the end of noon newscasts. She shook her head.

“I’m not sure what to think,” Houser said. “I mean, it’s Delphi. It’s our home. Who would do something like that?”

Robert Tinney, Houser’s neighbor, looked over a sheet handed to him by a state trooper, showing the suspect’s fresh composite and other details. Tinney spoke what seemed to be accepted truth, no matter how disconcerting.

“Seems like he’d have to be – or at least have been around here a lot,” Tinney said. “I’m not sure he could have got where he was going, to do what he did, otherwise. He had to know his way around Delphi to get out there.”

Out there, in the case of Feb. 13, 2017, was the other side of the Monon High Bridge trail, just northeast of Delphi. The trail is a popular one on Delphi’s expansive trail system, leading to an abandoned railroad trestle that was supposed to be closed to hikers. But it’s more of a Delphi place than it is a regional draw. Abby and Libby went there that Monday afternoon – it was a day off school – to hike for a few hours. The search parties went out that night and again the next day when they didn’t return. Their bodies were discovered about a half-mile up Deer Creek from the abandoned Monon High Bridge rail trestle.

Days after the girls were killed, Libby was being hailed as a hero for having the presence of mind to capture footage of a man approaching on the Monon High Bridge and then keeping app open at least long enough to record the suspect’s voice, saying, “Down the hill.”

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Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

A sketch of the suspect is reveled during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Community members strain to photograph a sketch of the suspect during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Sgt. Tony Slocum of the Indiana State Police speaks before a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Carrie Timmons, Libby German's mother, reacts after a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

community members line up before a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Community members film Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police as he speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Community members react as Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Family member embrace after a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Family members react as Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police reacts as he speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Mike and Becky Patty, Libby German's grandparents, during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police leaves a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby leaves a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Supt. Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police, right, speaks during a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Megan Lang, left, of Toronto, Canada and Margot Clark of Carmel look at a video showing the suspect walking after a press conference on an update on the Delphi murders investigation, Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Canal Center in Delphi. Abby Williams and Libby German, both Delphi eighth-graders, were murdered while hiking a popular community trail near Delphi on Feb. 13, 2017. Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier

Indiana State Police’s new evidence built off what was on Libby’s phone: some additional audio – now saying, “Guys, down the hill” – and video of the man picking his way across the rail trestle. Police also said they were looking for information about a vehicle found abandoned on Feb. 13, 2017, on Carroll County Road 300 North. That would be near an entrance to the trail. (Police did not provide details about make, model, year or other details about the vehicle.)

Meghan Lang, a friend of Carrie Timmons, Libby’s mother, studied the video playing in a loop on a wall at the Canal Center as police packed up their gear. Lang said she met Libby’s mom after reaching out during the investigation – “One mom to other mom,” she said. She hadn’t been to Delphi before that. This trip, Lang said she flew from her home in Toronto to Indianapolis on Sunday to be there for a press conference announced Friday afternoon.

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Flowers next to Monon High Bridge in memory of Liberty German and Abigail Williams Tuesday, February 21, 2017, on the Monon High Bridge Trail just east of Delphi. German, 14, and Williams, 13, were hiking the Delphi Historic Trails the afternoon of February 13, but did not show up when relatives arrived later to pick them up. The girls were reported missing at 5:30 p.m. Their bodies were discovered by searchers about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday east of High Bridge and about 50 feet north of Deer Creek.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

“That they think it’s probably somebody from Delphi?” Lang asked. “It wouldn’t surprise me. That bridge isn’t something you can just stumble onto. … To be honest, my mind isn’t so much on that as it is on looking at this and thinking about what was going through the girls’ minds right then. My heart breaks.”

Capt. Dave Bursten, ISP’s chief public information officer, said state police had asked Abby and Libby’s families not to talk to the media, at least for two weeks. It was a request that family members said Monday they agreed to honor.

Abby and Libby’s extended families have spent much of the past two years traveling to fairs and festivals hundreds of miles away from Delphi hoping to spread the word about the homicides. They’ve sent fliers asking for tips to every sheriff’s office in the United States. Truck drivers have agreed to post magnets with details about the case on their tractor-trailers. Friends who run online auctions put fliers in packages shipping all over the place.

All to get a national audience to help track down a killer.

But two months ago, as families braced for the memories and the media coming with the second anniversary of the homicides, Mike Patty, Libby’s grandpa, mentioned a similar hometown possibility as the one Carter raised on Monday.

“He could be right here,” Patty said in a conversation with the J&C in February. “Right here, and we don’t know it.”

Mark Mendel is co-owner of Hometown Shirts and Graphix. The shop across from the Carroll County Courthouse has designed T-shirts to raise awareness about the case and to generate money for the Abby and Libby Memorial Park slowly coming together at the corner of Indiana 25 and Indiana 218, about a mile north of the Monon High Bridge trail head.

Mendel watched a live broadcast about the new details in the case from his store. The Delphi angle didn’t seem like a stretch to him, either.

“Nobody knows for sure,” Mendel said. “But we always kind of knew that was a possibility, because of where it was.”

Mendel said the bigger takeaway Monday was that Carter and the rest of the investigators who promised two years ago to chase every lead haven’t let up.

“They said they were going to stick with it,” Mendel said. “Today showed they are. … I’m glad they’re still on it.”

Lang, who made a nearly 500-mile trip to Indiana to be there for first bits of evidence in more than a year, said Monday felt like shift in momentum.

“I feel the clock is really ticking now, I really do,” Lang said. “No matter where this guy is from.”

ABOUT THE CASE

► WHAT HAPPENED: Abby and Libby were hiking on the Monon High Bridge trail, a popular trail near Delphi, on Feb. 13, 2017. When they didn’t arrive to meet their ride at the trailhead that afternoon, police and community volunteers searched the trail and the surrounding woods. The girls were found on Feb. 14, about a half-mile up Deer Creek from the abandoned Monon High Bridge rail trestle.

► THE SUSPECT: Police continue to look for a white male between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-10, weighing 180 to 200 pounds, with reddish brown hair. On Monday, Indiana State Police released a new composite photo of the suspect, putting his age in his mid-20s to mid-30s. Images and video on Libby German’s cellphone show a man walking across Monon High Bridge that day, wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket and a hat. Police also release a recording, taken from Libby’s phone, of a man saying, “Guys, down the hill.”

► TIPS: Anyone with information about the case may call the Delphi Homicide Investigation Tip Line at 844-459-5786; the Indiana State Police at 800-382-7537; the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department at 765-564-2413; or by email to Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.